Quick release buckle



' P 10, 1957 J. D. CHAMPAGNE 2, 9

QUICK RELEASE BUCKLE Filed Sept. 17. 1954 INVEN TOR. JOSEPH D, CHAM PAGN BY WMQW QUICK RELEASE BUCKLE Joseph D. Champagne, Portland, Greg. Application September 17, 1954, Serial No. 456,823 2 Claims. c1. 24-178 My present invention relates to a buckle of utility for a number of purposes including that of separably joining the ends of an article of wearing apparel such as a mans trousers belt and separably joining the ends of a collar for an animal. r r r The principal object of the present invention is to provide a buckle which may be quickly released by a simple motion whereby a person may rapidly disrobe, or a leashed animal may be rapidly released. This object is of great importance in dog racing, wherein it is desirable that a dog should be rapidly released and permitted to run without the hindrance of a collar around its neck. In modern dog racing establishments it is the practice for handlers to march the dogs on leashes to a starting pen and then to insert the dogs into the starting pen while removing the leash and collar. With the usual type of buckle it is a difficult task to remove the collar since usually only one hand can be employed for this purpose while the other hand is engaged in pushing the dog forward into his individual compartment in the starting pen. With the present invention the collar can be removed with one rapid movement of one hand, thus enabling the handler to use both hands in moving the dog. The present invention is also of utility in handling other animals. It is also of utility as a buckle on utility belts of men employed in hazardous occupations such as construction work around water, where it would be desirable to be able to release the belt instantaneously if the wearer should accidentally fall into the water. Other uses of the buckle will be readily apparent to those having special needs for quick-release buckles.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a quick-release buckle which does not depend upon clamping means for holding the buckle in operative holding position, whereby the exposed surfaces of the belt are protected from the marrin g action of wedge rollers and the like, thus prolonging the useful life of a trousers belt or the like which the owner wishes to preserve in immaculate condition.

The foregoing objects and advantages will be more readily apparent from inspection of the accompanying drawings, taken in connection with the following specification, wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated and described.

7 In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a form of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the buckle of Fig. 1 attached to a strap, such as a dog collar, at the beginning of engagement of the buckle with the free end of the strap;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing engaging the buckle and strap;

Fig. 4 is a partial view of the Pig. 5 is a side elevation of the buckle illustrated in Fig. 1; and

the final movement of fully engaged buckle and .the upper edge of the z'sss sa Patented Sept. 10, 1957 Figs. 6 and 7 are views similar to Fig. 1 illustrating modifications of the present invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, a buckle formed in accordance with my invention comprises an S-shaped frame defined by a forward cross bar 1%, an intermediate cross bar 11, a single, forward, longitudinal bar 12 connecting the forward and intermediate cross bars at one side of the buckle, a rear cross bar 13, and a single, rear, longitudinal bar 4 connecting the intermediate and rear cross bars at the opposite side of the buckle. A conventional tongue 15 is pivotally mounted on the intermediate cross bar 11 and is of such length as to overlie the forward cross bar. The forward cross bar is preferably surrounded by a tubular sleeve 16 which is free to roll on the cross bar. 7 A leash-engaging bail 17 is permanently fixed in upstanding relation to the rear, longitudinal cross bar 14. Each terminus of the S-shaped frame is provided with a dependent lug, the free end of the forward cross bar 10 having a dependent lug 13 and the free end of the rear cross bar 13 having a dependent lug 19. These lugs are longer than the usual thickness of a leather belt or collar such as illustrated bar 12 is inclined upwardly from the plane defined by the rearward cross bar 13 and the rearward, longitudinal bar 14, the two planes eing at an obtuse angle less than one hundred and eighty degrees whereby the intermediate bar 11 lies below a plane defined by the forward cross bar 1%) and the rearward cross bar 13. Due to this angular relationship the free end of the belt lies flatly beneath the forward and rear cross bars. The belt 20 is preferably provided with an opening 21 through which the tongue 15 projects, the belt being permanently attached to the cross bar 11 by directing its end rearwardlyand attaching it to the main portion of the belt as bymeans of stitches 22. The stitches 22 may also attach a keeper loop 23, and the free end of the belt is preferably provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced perforations 24 in the usual manner.

In buckling the collar or belt in position, the first movement is to slip the free end of the belt sideways between the lug 18 and the cross bar 11. The tongue 15 may then be slipped through one of the perforations 24 and the free end of the belt then slipped downwardly between the lug 19 and the cross bar 11. The buckle is maintained in operative relation by the lugs 18 and 19 engaging opposite sides of the free end of the belt. Maintenance of this position is assured by the keeper loop 23, but the keeper loop may be dispensed with and the buckle will nevertheless remain in holding position due to the outward pressure of the encircled body. In order to release the belt or collar the procedure is reversed, and the releasing movement may be accomplished instantaneously. All that is required is to raise the free end of the belt to the position illustrated in Fig. 3, and then pull outward on the free end of the belt, in an upward, twisting motion. This causes the edge of the belt to slip around and below the lug 18, simultaneously withdrawing the belt from engagement by the tongue 15 and immediately causing the belt to fly open due to continued upward pressure of belt against the longitudinal bar 12. Due to the depressed position of the intermediate bar 11, there is constant pressure tending to maintain the belt I bar 14. Y

'while sliding over the arms of the poses. The rearward lug His only 'a double assurance against accidental unfastening of the belt, just as the keeper loop is a triple assurance against accidental unfastening of the belt, and both may be omitted if desired.

Fig. 7 illustrates a preferred form of the present invention for use as a mans belt buckle, or for other purposes than animal collars, the leash-holding bail 17 being omitted. Likewise, since there is no necessity for the rearward lug 19 this is omitted, thereby reducing the possibility of the belt surface being marred or scratched buckle and insuring most rapid releasing action.

Having illustrated and described the present invention to those skilled in the art that the same permits of further modification in detail and arrangement. I claim all such modifications as come Within the true spirit and scope of the following claims.

I claim: 7 V a V 1. A buckle comprising an S-shaped frame defined by a forward cross bar, an intermediate cross bar, a single,

forward, longitudinal bar connecting said forward and intermediate cross bars at one side of the buckle, a rear crossbar, a single, rear, longitudinal bar connecting said intermediate and rear cross bars at the other side of the buckle, and a tongue pivotally mounted on said intermediate oross bar, each terminus of said S-shaped frame comprising a lug directed in the opposite direction to the direction in which said tongue projects.

- 2. The construction set forth inclaim 1 wherein said forward cross bar and said forward longitudinal bar define a plane lying at an obtuse angle of less than one hundred and eighty degrees with respect to the plane defined by said intermediate cross bar and said rear cross and several modifications thereof, it should be apparent bar, whereby said intermediate cross bar lies behind the plane defined by said front and rear cross bars.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain 1885 

